Newspaper Articles 1946 – British Women’s Overseas Club – Formation

[5 April 1946]

British Women’s Club

New Organisation Formed In Hastings

DOMINION SPECIAL SERVICE
HASTINGS, April 5.

At an enthusiastic meeting of upwards of 200 women, ranging in age from 18 to 80 and including brides of men of both wars, a British Women’s club was formed at Hastings this afternoon. The attendance exceeded all expectations, and the Borough Council Chambers were filled with British women anxious to form their own organisation. It was decided that women of the British Dominions also will be admitted to the club.

“An organisation of this kin can do nothing but good,” said the mayor, Mr. A.I. Rainbow, who presided. “I am well aware of the movement that has preceded this meeting, and the attendance fully illustrates the interest in such an organisation. Although women will belong to an organisation of this kind, they will still be most loyal New Zealanders, and I have no doubt that this club will strengthen the links of empire and cement that ties which already bind us firmly to the old country.

Extending a welcome to recently arrived British brides, Mr Rainbow said that everyone knew just how lonely these girls could be in a strange land. He was certain that this was a move in the right direction, and he wished it every success.

Mrs. Malcolm Mason, an originator of the plan for the British women’s club, described how she had struck up a friendship with a young English bride in a bus. “She was very good to look at, very charming, and very brave,” said Mrs. Mason. She married her husband in Britain, and had come to New Zealand to await his return. She had but three days with him before he was sent overseas again. The vision of that girl, with a young baby among strangers in a strange land, prompted her to form some such club as this.

“The club should stand for better understanding between girls who have recently come out and their new country.” continued Mrs. Mason. “After the last war it wasn’t so easy and people were a little apathetic, but let us make it easier for the young people from this war. They have fallen in love with their husband, and have been willing to follow them to a strange land, but they haven’t yet fallen in love with the country. That is where it is up to us older people.”

The following pro tem committee was elected: Secretary, Miss M.S. Silvester; treasurer, Mrs. D.H. Stewart; executive, Mesdames L. Mackersey, A. Reeve and Malcolm Mason.

Mrs E. Wall assured the meeting of the warm support of the Hastings Townswomen’s Guild, and Mrs. D.H. Stewart similarly spoke up on behalf of the women’s division of the Farmers’ Union.

Original digital file

CardingB646_BWOC_257-8.pdf

Non-commercial use

Attribution-NonCommercial 3.0 New Zealand (CC BY-NC 3.0 NZ)

This work is licensed under a Attribution-NonCommercial 3.0 New Zealand (CC BY-NC 3.0 NZ).

 

Commercial Use

Please contact us for information about using this material commercially.
✖

Can you help?

The Hawke's Bay Knowledge Bank relies on donations to make this material available. Please consider making a donation towards preserving our local history.

Visit our donations page for more information.

Business / Organisation

British Women's Overseas Club

Format of the original

Newspaper articles

Date published

1946

People

  • Mrs A D G M Laing
  • Mrs Lindsay Mackersey
  • Mrs Malcolm [Vera] Mason
  • A I Rainbow
  • Mrs A H [Noel] Reeve
  • Miss M S Silvester
  • Mrs D H [B M] Stewart
  • Mrs E D Wall

Accession number

646/2274/46545

Do you know something about this record?

Please note we cannot verify the accuracy of any information posted by the community.

Supporters and sponsors

We sincerely thank the following businesses and organisations for their support.